LIVE: AIADMK rebel MLAs removed from posts; Kerala CM only tomorrow
Congress's decision on Kerala CM is expected later today
The four-day-old TVK government in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (May 13) comfortably won the trust vote with the support of 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs amid DMK's walkout and Opposition allegations of horse-trading that were rejected by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
In its confidence-boosting win, TVK romped home by a 144:22 margin, with all the 22 naysayers being the AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. The 25 other party MLAs, from the C Ve Shanmugam-SP Velumamni camp voted in favour of the government, as announced by them earlier.
Replying to discussions over the resolution moved by him seeking vote of confidence, Vijay said his government will always be secular and would continue to implement the welfare schemes launched by previous regimes.
While the main Opposition DMK, with 59 MLAs in the 234-member House, staged a walkout slamming the government, PMK with 4 MLAs and the lone member of the BJP abstained. The Vijay-led TVK government won the trust vote also due to the support from the Congress, VCK, Left, IUML and MLA S Kamaraj, who was expelled from AMMK for supporting TVK.
In an embarrassment, the split in the AIADMK came into the open during the trust vote proceedings as the faction led by party leaders Velumani-Shanmugam voted in favour of the government.
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Live Updates
- 13 May 2026 10:23 AM IST
CPI also extends support
Communist Party of India has also extended its support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. - 13 May 2026 10:17 AM IST
DMDK's Premalatha condemns appointment of Radhan Pandit
Premalatha Vijayakant condemned the appointment of astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Minister’s Office, questioning the decision taken by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led government. - 13 May 2026 10:12 AM IST
VCK extends support to CM Vijay
Participating in the floor test underway in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) extended its support to the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led government.
Speaking in the Assembly, VCK MLA Vanni Arasu called for legislation against superstitious practices such as astrology. He also urged the new government to address the long-standing issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Arasu further said that welfare initiatives introduced by the previous administration, including the Breakfast Scheme, should be continued by the present government as well.
- 13 May 2026 10:10 AM IST
Congress, CPM confirms support to TVK government
Following CM Vijay moving the motion seeking confidence vote, the Congress Legislature Party, along with the CPI(M) have extended their support to the Motion.“Chief Minister Vijay has sought the support of five secular parties”: Congress Legislative Committee Leader Rajesh Kumar explains backing for the TVK government.
Marxist leader Sellaswamy backed the TVK government but warned against anti-people policies in Tamil Nadu.
- 13 May 2026 10:07 AM IST
Independent candidate S Kamaraj confirms his support
The lone MLA of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, who was expelled from the party for extending support to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, reiterated his stand and said he would vote in favour of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government during the trust vote.
